Turkish Airlines fares will no longer be available through the Sabre Global Distribution System (GDS) starting September 1, 2024, due to a breakdown in negotiations between the two parties. Both sides have expressed frustration over the inability to reach a content agreement, with each placing the blame on the other.
In an email to travel advisors, Cemal Kaya, Turkish Airlines’ General Manager for Los Angeles and Denver, stated, “Despite the positive and constructive approach Turkish Airlines has shown in continuing its participation in Sabre under similar conditions as with our other GDS partners, this effort has not been reciprocated by Sabre.”
The airline is moving forward with plans to launch its New Distribution Capability (NDC) program, TK Connect, in October. This initiative will allow Turkish Airlines to offer more personalized and dynamic content directly to travel agencies and consumers. As part of this shift, Turkish Airlines intends to introduce a surcharge on bookings made through legacy GDSs and will also remove some lower-fare content from those platforms.
This change marks a significant shift in how Turkish Airlines distributes its fares and underscores the growing influence of NDC in the airline industry. Travel agencies and advisors who rely on Sabre will need to adjust to these new distribution channels or potentially face higher costs and limited fare availability.
